Ultrasonication effects on physicochemical properties of biopolymer-based films: A comprehensive review

Abstract

Biopolymeric films manufactured from materials such as starch, cellulose, protein, chitosan, gelatin, and polyvinyl alcohol are widely applied due to their complete biodegradability. While biopolymer-based films exhibit good gas barriers and optical properties when used in packaging, poor moisture resistance and mechanical properties limit their further application. Ultrasonication is a promising, effective technology for resolving these shortcomings, with its high efficiency, environmentally friendly nature, and safety. This review briefly introduces basic ultrasonication principles and their main effects on mechanical properties, transparency, color, microstructure, water vapor permeability, and oxygen resistance. We also describe the thermal performance of biopolymeric films. While ultrasonication has many positive effects on the physicochemical properties of biopolymeric films, many factors influence their behavior during film preparation, including power density, amplitude, treatment time, frequency, and the inherent properties of the source materials. This review focuses on biopolymers as film-forming materials and comprehensively discusses the promotional effects of ultrasonication on their physicochemical properties.

Keywords:

• Ultrasonication
• biopolymer
• film
• physicochemical properties

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This study has been supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (32172130); Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province (ZR2021MC002, ZR2018BC064); University Student Innovation and Entrepreneurship Training Programs of Shandong Province (S202010431080); Innovation Pilot Project of Integration of Science, Education and Industry of Shandong Province (Grant No.2020KJC-ZD011, 2020KJC-ZD06), and Special Funds for Taishan Scholars Project.